Air transportable gantry type crane

Abstract

An air transportable gantry-type crane has a pair of collapsible side frames adapted to be releasably interconnected by a pair of elongate cross members. Each side frame has an extended operating state and a collapsed transportable state. One of the cross members includes relatively short transversely extending coupling members adapted to interconnect the side frames for maintaining the same in closely spaced parallel relation. Each side frame is also provided with wheels and a support for supporting each side frame when disconnected from the cross members.

I claim: 
     
       1. An air transportable mobile gantry crane having a pair of side frames, each side frame including a collapsible frame portion having an operating position wherein its upper end is elevated and a collapsed transport position wherein its upper end is lowered,   elevating means for moving the collapsible frame portions between their elevated and collapsed positions,   first and second cross connecting means each adapted to be releasably connectable to said side frames for joining the same in spaced apart relation,   said first cross connecting means being relatively elongate to provide a substantial spacing between said side frames during normal operation and when said collapsible frame portions are extended,   said second cross connecting means being relatively short to permit said side frames to be joined in close proximity to permit loading upon an aircraft when said collapsible frame portions are collapsed,   said side frames each including a main beam means, said collapsible frame portions each comprising a pair of beam means pivotally mounted on said main beam means adjacent one end whereby their opposite ends may be elevated and lowered, said elevating means being coupled to said main beam means and said pivoting beam means, and coupling means on each of said pivoting beam means for coupling each of said first and second cross connecting means.   
     
     
       2. The air transportable mobile gantry crane as set forth in claim 1 and including a pair of wheel means mounted on each frame and power means for driving said wheel means whereby said gantry crane may be driven in both its operating and transportable modes. 
     
     
       3. The air transportable gantry crane as set forth in claim 2 wherein said first cross connecting means comprises a pair of elongate members each adapted to interconnect the upper ends of corresponding ones of the pivoting beams of each side frame, and said second cross connecting means comprises relatively shorter members. 
     
     
       4. The air transportable gantry crane as set forth in claim 3, wherein said second cross members extend integrally from one of said first cross members and adjacent the opposite ends thereof. 
     
     
       5. The air transportable gantry crane as set forth in claim 4 wherein said pivoting beam members are pivotally connected intermediate their ends and one of said beam members is pivotally and slidably mounted on said main beam. 
     
     
       6. The air transportable gantry crane as set forth in claim 5 and including auxiliary support means adapted to be mounted on each side frame for supporting the same while said cross connecting means are disconnected therefrom. 
     
     
       7. The air transportable mobile gantry crane as set forth in claim 1 and including a pair of wheel means mounted on each frame and power means for driving said wheels whereby said gantry crane may be driven in both its operating and transportable modes. 
     
     
       8. The air transportable gantry crane as set forth in claim 1 wherein said pivoting beam members are pivotally connected intermediate their ends and one of said beam members is pivotally and slidably mounted on said main beam. 
     
     
       9. The air transportable gantry crane as set forth in claim 1 and including auxiliary support means adapted to be mounted on each side frame for supporting the same while said cross connecting means are disconnected therefrom. 
     
     
       10. An air transportable mobile gantry crane including a pair of side frames, each side frame including a main frame portion and a pivoting frame portion having a pivoted operating position wherein its upper end is elevated and an unpivoted transport position wherein its upper end is lowered,   elevating means for pivoting the collapsible frame portions between their elevated and collapsed positions,   first and second cross connecting means each adapted to be releasably connectable to said pivoting frame portions for joining the side frames in spaced apart relation,   said first cross connecting means being relatively elongate to provide a substantial spacing between said side frames during normal operation and when said collapsible frame portions are extended,   said second cross connecting means being integral with said first cross connecting means and relatively short to permit said side frames to be joined in close proximity to permit loading upon an aircraft when said collapsible frame portions are collapsed,   said pivoting frame portions comprising a pair of beam means pivotally mounted on said main beam portion adjacent one end whereby their opposite ends may be elevated and lowered, said elevating means being coupled to said main frame portion and said pivoting beam means, and coupling means on each of said pivoting beam means for coupling each to said first and second cross connecting means.   
     
     
       11. The air transportable gantry crane as set forth in claim 10 wherein said first cross connecting means comprises a pair of elongate members each adapted to interconnect the upper ends of corresponding ones of the pivoting beams of each side frame. 
     
     
       12. The air transportable gantry crane as set forth in claim 11 wherein said second cross members are affixed to and extend integrally from one of said first cross members and adjacent the opposite ends thereof. 
     
     
       13. The air transportable gantry crane as set forth in claim 12 and including auxiliary support means adapted to be mounted on each side frame for supporting the same while said cross connecting means are disconnected therefrom. 
     
     
       14. An air transportable mobile gantry crane having a pair of side frames, each side frame having a collapsible frame portion which includes pivoting beams and having an operating position wherein is upper end is elevated and a collapsed transport position wherein its upper end is lowered,   elevating means for moving the collapsible frame portions between their elevated and collapsed positions,   first and second cross connecting means each adapted to be releasably connectable to said side frames for joining the same in spaced apart relation,   said first cross connecting means comprising a pair of elongate members each adapted to interconnect the upper ends of corresponding ones of the pivoting beams of each side frame to provide a substantial spacing between said side frames during normal operation and when said collapsible frame portions are extended,   said second cross connecting means comprising relatively shorter members than said first cross connecting means to permit said side frames to be joined in close proximity to permit loading upon an aircraft when said collapsible frame portions are collapsed.   
     
     
       15. The air transportable gantry crane as set forth in claim 14 wherein said second cross members are affixed extend integrally from one of said first cross members and adjacent the opposite ends thereof.